[Publib] RE: Banned patrons

[Christopher F. Bowen]

Hello,

When patrons repeatedly violate the library's rules of behavior they can
be banned from the library for three months. I do send a letter to the
patron informing him or her of the reason for the ban and giving the
date that the ban expires. In the case of a minor I copy the letter to
the parents. The letter to a minor states that a parent or guardian may
contact the library director, in advance, and make arrangements for the
minor to visit the library to do school work, as long as the minor is
accompanied and directly supervised by a parent or guardian during the
visit.

Whenever a patron is banned (maybe one or two per year) a memo
identifying the patron and explaining the circumstances is distributed
to staff, so that everyone knows that the patron has been banned and
why. If the patron returns and refuses to leave, it helps staff to have
something in writing to show the police when they are called to evict
the patron. 

Christopher Bowen 
Library Director
Downers Grove Public Library
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Subject: [Publib] banned patrons

Hi everyone, 
We are looking at our rules of conduct and all that that encompasses at
our library. I am wondering whether or not libraries who have had to ban
patrons under the age of 18 let the parents/guardians know that their
kids have been banned from the premises? If so, do you call, send a
formal letter? Also do libraries write something up every time they ban
a patron? If so, how long do you keep these forms? If anyone would like
to share their incident report forms or procedures surrounding this
issue, I would love to see them. Please send to the address below. Thank
you! 
Kelley Potter
Manager of Juvenile and Young Adult Services
Caledon Public Library
905-857-1431 ext. 238
kpotter at caledon.library.on.ca